Imitate Mary, say Yes to God, Pope asks priests

August 12, 2009

At his general audience on Wednesday, August 12, Pope Benedict XVI drew together two themes: the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which the universal Church celebrates on August 15; and the ongoing Year for Priests. Just as the Mary's fiat cleared a path for the Incarnation, the Holy Father observed, "priests are called to bring Christ's saving love into the world." The Pontiff reminded the 4,000 people who had gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence that the time of the Annunciation: "Something truly extraordinary occurred: God made himself dependent on the freedom-- on the 'Yes'-- of one of his creatures." The Almighty continues to ask priests, and all Christians, to carry out the work of his Church, the Pope said.

At the conclusion of his remarks the Pope added that he was praying for the victims of devastating storms and floods that have torn through Asia, with particularly damaging results in Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and southeast China.

 

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Further information:

• L'Udienza Generale (VIS)
• Pope Prays for Relief for Morakot Victims (Vatican Radio)